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Monday, 18 May 2015

DAC sets the Course for a Safer Future

M777 Ultra Light Howitzer

Delivering the promise of fast tracking the procurement process, the DAC headed by the MoD, Manohar Parrikar met yesterday night clearing crucial procurement's for the forces. The tri-services chiefs were in attendance to the crucial meet where clearance was accorded to crucial procurement's to overcome the short falling in the forces. The DAC has cleared procurement's of up to $3.4 billion.

Avro Replacement

In a major decision the DAC has finally paved the way for the replacement of the aging Avro’s. DAC has finally given its consent to consortium formed by Airbus and Tata. The Avro replacement deal is estimated around 11930 crore, under which India will procuring 56 aircraft. Airbus has fielded it’s C295 for the replacement and deal and has also signed a deal with Tata to co-produce it in India.

Under the deal, 16 aircrafts will be procured in fly away conditions and the rest 40 will be manufactured in India. This is a significant step in the ‘Make in India’ campaign and this deal will effectively make Tata the first private company to setup an assembly line to manufacture aircraft in India. The numbers of these tactical aircraft is expected to increase with time, Indian navy and Coast guard have already expressed their interest to procure the aircraft.

C 295

LUH Replacement

The aging Cheetah and Chetak fleet have been one of the most agonizing machinery in service. The Navy, Air force and Army operate more than 100 crafts. These aging machines have met with several crash and had greatly reduced the efficiency of the forces in the front line. Even though plans to replace these crafts were drawn several years ago the program has finally taken wings in this DAC meet. long delayed procurement finally seems it's order, the Army operates more than 100 of Vintage French origin HAL built Cheetah and Chetak helicopters which is already The Ka 226T designed by the Russians has finally won the tender process and will soon replace the aging fleet.

The order is expected to be around 200+, the helicopter would again be produced in India by an Indian private company and the program is slated to be a major relief to rotary operation wing.

Ka 226T

Light weight Howitzer M777

To counter the moves of China, India has planned to setup a mountain strike corps. This regiment is in-charge of checking any aggressive moves by the Chinese and will also be one of the first parties to enhance the Chinese, should a full scale war break out between the countries. Artillery guns has been one of the most lacking fields in the army, thanks to the famous Bofor’s deal any future plans to procure these guns have always run into turbulent waters.

The DAC has finally cleared the procurement of the M777 from the US, these artillery guns are extremely light weight and can be easily transported with the help of even a medium helicopter. The M777 deal is valued at around $700 million, the army will be procuring nearly 145 units. BAE has come forward to supply the howitzers by locally producing them in India with an private player.

Air force and Navy

DAC has also approved the procurement of 36 Pilatus PC 7 IJT, this will be a follow on to the orders placed by the air force.

DAC has also given its nod to accument ALG (Advanced Landing Grounds). IAF will also receive modern communication systems.

Stressing for an office in the skies for the PM and the President, DAC has given clearance to procure two Boeing 777-300 from the state carrier, Air India, this aircraft will then be fitted out with an advanced radar and warning system. The aircraft will also be fitted with defensive systems which can deploy chaffs and flares to counter any missile threats. The aircraft will be replacing the aging 747 that have for long served the PMO and the President’s office.

The frontline Talwar and Delhi destroyers will now be fitted with the potent BrahMos system. The navy will now receive 69 BrahMos missiles which will fitted on all the Talwar and Delhi destroyers.

DAC has also allocated about 30 crore, signalling the start of the IACII project. DAC has also set apart 3 crore, for the modernization of Kochi ship yard. Tele-medicine facilities for the Navy has been cleared at around 62 crore.